Before today is over...

[Tsukiyumi]

I just thought I'd post this.



*moment of silence*

[RK_Striker_JK_5]

*Moment of silence*

[Teaos]

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[Sonic Glitch]

Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives:

Yesterday, December 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.

Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And, while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam.
Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.
Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island.
And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has therefore undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense, that always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.

No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people, in their righteous might, will win through to absolute victory.

I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph. So help us God.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.

Franklin D. Roosevelt - December 8, 1941



Three days later, December 11, Japan's allies, Germany and Italy, both declared war on the United States. The U.S. Congress responded immediately by declaring war on them. Thus the European and Southeast Asian wars had become a global conflict with the Axis Powers; Japan, Germany, Italy and others, aligned against the Allied Powers; America, Britain, the Soviet Union and others.

http://www.historyplace.com/speeches/index.html

[Mikey]

*bows head*

Rest in peace, gentlemen.

[Sonic Glitch]

Another, slightly older quote, but still appropriate I think:

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Rest In Peace Gentlemen. You are not forgotten.

Sorry to ruin the solemnimity(sp?) and Seafort might be able to answer this: but would casualties of battleships/surface combatants still be considered "On Eternal Patrol" as their submarine brethren are?

[Sionnach Glic]

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[Mikey]

Sorry to ruin the solemnimity(sp?) and Seafort might be able to answer this: but would casualties of battleships/surface combatants still be considered "On Eternal Patrol" as their submarine brethren are?

It's "solemnity." And I don't know about the official status of those seamen - but many survivors of the Arizona, when the pass away, are allowed by the Navy to have their cremains taken by Navy diver and interred aboard with their crewmates.

[Mark]

They had there annual Pearl Harbor rememberence ceremony yesterday down at the USS Arizona Memorial..................

[Aaron]

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

[Captain Picard's Hair]

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Rest in peace, brave men
(imagine it's a salute - closest I could find here)

[Mark]

You know, most people forget that Pearl Harbor wasn't the only target hit on Oahu. Wheeler Army Air Field took a big hit, as well as Schofield Barracks. And let's not forget the 82 civillians that died in the attack. (Sadly enough, not from the Japaneese, but from our own panicked friendly fire)